Balls backs open Iraq war inquiry

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Holding parts of the Iraq war inquiry in public would be a "good thing", Children's Secretary Ed Balls has said.

The government has been heavily criticised for announcing that the probe would take place in private.

But Mr Balls told GMTV "the guy in charge of the inquiry should decide rather than politicians" but said he would welcome public hearings.

Jack Straw, foreign secretary during the 2003 invasion, has said he would have "no problem" testifying in public.

Widespread criticism

Mr Balls told the programme that it was for Sir John Chilcott, who will chair the inquiry, to decided how its hearings should be conducted.

"I think that they will be really keen to make sure that members of the public can put their views and former service people as well," Mr Balls said.

Nick Clegg: "The prime architect of the war (Tony Blair)... should give evidence in public"

"And if they decide to do some hearings in public then that will be a good thing but that is really a matter for them.

"I think the important thing is that it is an independent inquiry so the guy in charge of the inquiry should decide rather than politicians saying 'you have got to do it this way, or that way'."

But BBC political correspondent Vicky Young said pressure was building for the probe to be conducted publicly.

When he announced it on Monday, the prime minister said the inquiry would hear evidence in private so witnesses could be "as candid as possible".

Following widespread criticism Mr Brown appeared to backtrack, saying it would be up to Sir John to decide which session of the inquiry could be held in public.

'Grand cover-up'

On Sunday, Mr Straw, who is now the justice secretary, told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that Sir John had indicated that it would be "mixed" between public and private sessions.

Mr Straw said he would be prepared to testify publicly on matters that did not relate to sensitive intelligence or that put the lives of British forces at risk and believed former Prime Minister Tony Blair would do the same.

He added: "As foreign secretary at the time I have no problem with giving most of the evidence I have got to give in public.

"In fairness to Tony, he has given the equivalent of evidence in public scores and scores of time."

If it's a government u-turn and the inquiry is now going to be held in public then I welcome that Theresa MayShadow Work and Pensions Secretary

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan told the BBC's Politics Show that he suspected "many, many parts" of the inquiry would be conducted in public.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Theresa May said the apparent turnaround by ministers was "amazing".

She added: "If it's a government U-turn and the inquiry is now going to be held in public then I welcome that."

Downing Street and Mr Blair's spokesman also dismissed reports that the decision to hold the inquiry in private was prompted by pressure from the ex-prime minister.

But Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "If the inquiry is to have any legitimacy, the prime architect of the decision to go to war in Iraq alongside George Bush should give his evidence in public under oath.

"I think anything less will make people feel this is just a grand cover-up for, after all, what was the biggest foreign policy mistake this country has made since Suez."

The inquiry will start next month and aims to identify "lessons learned".

On Wednesday the prime minister is due to face a Commons vote on a Conservative motion that evidence given to the Iraq inquiry should be heard in public "whenever possible".